Man convicted for rash of thefts

Ridgeway resident receives a conditional sentence and placed on probation

A motorist who helped himself to hundreds of dollars in gas at several Welland gas stations has received a conditional sentence and been placed on probation for three years.

Riley Robillard, a 21-year-old resident of Ridgeway, appeared in Ontario Court of Justice in Welland Wednesday and pleaded guilty to several offences including theft.

On Jan. 15, 2022, court was told, Robillard pumped $55 of gas into an SUV at Circle K on Thorold Road and drove off without paying. In March 2022, he pumped $79 in gas at the Esso station on East Main Street.

“He then fled without making any attempt to pay for the stolen fuel,” said assistant Crown attorney Denis Kilinc.

He committed two additional gas-and-dash thefts in March. One involved $94 in gas from the Shell gas station on East Main Street and the second was $80 at the Esso on Ontario Road. There was a significant increase in the number of gasand-dash thefts across the region in 2022, according to Niagara Regional Police.

“Niagara did see a spike in gas theft/gas drive offs, like many communities in Ontario,” said NRP Const. Phil Gavin.

Last year, Niagara police received 467 reports of gas thefts. So far this year, there have been 35 incidents.

Police encourage business operators to consider using gasoline pumps equipped with prepayment technology. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police has been working with the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, which represents more 7,500 retailers, for several years, lobbying the provincial government for legislation that requires people to prepay for gasoline. Mandatory prepayment exists in other provinces including British Columbia and Alberta.

Meanwhile, Robillard also pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of theft over $5,000 in relation to heist at a jewelry store at Seaway Mall in Welland.

On March 27, 2022, court heard, the defendant approached an employee at Infinity Family Jewellers and asked to view several gold chains. He grabbed the display from the clerk’s hands and ran from the store.

The gold chains had a value in excess of $11,000.

In addition to receiving the conditional sentence, Robillard was ordered to pay restitution to the victims, and was fined $2,000 for driving without insurance.